The first is for Sensational Haiku Wednesday (yeah, it’s Saturday, I know!), and the second was written for my friend Kelly’s blog but never posted. This is also posted at my poetic hearth, Poets United.
Peace be with you all. Amy
FOR SENSATIONAL HAIKU WEDNESDAY: “Anticipation” theme
Red leaf shivering
ready to drop to fertile ground
Life cycle complete
——————————————–
FOR EVERYONE, so they may understand what some call “crazy.”
THE OTHER-MINDED
I am one of the “other-minded”
We filter truth through a lens tinted by our mood
or lit by the fullest moon
to create art, to fulfill our promise
Who else will capture the infinite loneliness
of the slab mattress in the suicide ward?
The blurred visions of panic in a grocery store,
surrounded by cardboard people
blithely stuffing their carts with Cocoa Puffs?
Who else will bear witness to
the undulation of one’s naked self in a mirror,
mesmerized by the sheer loveliness reflected?
Who but we have days we celebrate
for their sheer boredom
Walking the fields of home
while ceiling-gazing in midcity?
We endure darkness, yet we bathe in
the glorious light that follows
We stumble, then venture down a path
the “sane” would never dare.
Our words, our artwork,
our songs and poems
breathe both bleakness and dizzying victories;
improbable stories of
real people they’ll think we made up
(if only it were so…)
We are labeled misfit toys
but we dance on the edge
of a rolling coin
that never comes to rest
© 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
christine
totaly can relate, I just changed my profile and it kinda reflects on this, I often feel the words fall from my mouth, or hand and stir up trouble but on fertile ground, to those that relate, they understand
Sharp Little Pencil
The trick is to keep your toes in that fertile ground, right? Keep yourself surrounded by kindred spirits, but do venture out once in a while, because we MUST keep commenting on the Others, the ones who walk with blinders on and answer only to The Man. Thanks, Christine! Amy
vivinfrance
I like the angle you’ve approached this from very much, at ease with yourself.
This poem could really help a bi-polar friend of mine who is not at all at ease with himself. Would you mind if I sent it to him?
Sharp Little Pencil
Please, Viv and ALL, anytime you feel something I write can help someone who’s struggling, as long as my name and “c” are on it, you have my permission to share. Anytime at all, and thanks for thinking this might help. Love, Amy
Debbie
Amy! I want everyone to read The Other Minded! 🙂 So good! Thank you!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Debbie. I thought about that poem when I did the NAMI Walk yesterday, surrounded by so many creative, fun people… Amy
hollyjb
I loved this line “surrounded by cardboard people
blithely stuffing their carts with Cocoa Puffs?”.
I think ‘The Other Minded’ is my favourite poem of yours I’ve read so far. I also love Fall so I liked Autumn as well!
Sharp Little Pencil
Holly, so glad you connected with both of these. Autumn is “my time” as well, and every sunny, cool day, I’m out, soaking up the sun before the long winter ahead.
I’m thinking about submitting “The Other Minded” to the NAMI Advocate, as I’m what’s called “a mental health consumer.” (Ha ha, P.C. for “I’m not only a member, I’m also a client!” Thanks so much, Holly. Amy
hollyjb
Ha! You should. ^_^
Sharp Little Pencil
Ya think? (wink) Amy
Roger Green
I just figured it out – you’re day-impaired! There’s probably a drug for that. Wait, it’s in short supply, like most of the important stuff.
Sharp Little Pencil
Actually, you’re right. It’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder, LOL, and a grey day sets me back unless I’m careful to keep up my guard! Amy
Mike Patrick
Take my hand. I’ll walk with you. We share more than any could ever know.
Sharp Little Pencil
God love you, Michael. I believe it. Amy
booguloo
Loved the Haiku and the last stanza of the other minded.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Michael. Yes, I was rather proud of producing a satisfactory haiku, since you know rolling, rambling rants are more my style.
I’m doing the NAMI Walk this year, walking for the mentally ill (including myself). Will use it for contemplative time, meditating on ways to bring mental illness “out of the closet.” Thanks, Amy
Inside the Mind of Isadora
Hey Amer … It’s hard to leave a comment when there are two. So, I will title them.
“Autumn” – this has the perfect description of the cycle of life. Once a beautiful red leaf will now become the fertilizer for the earth. A blessed new beginning to folllow. Lovely ….!!!
“The Other-Minded”
Outstanding …. It is astounding to me your evocative expression of a factual
existence. Your words are tapping at the heart of a world only those within it can understand. Yet, you have given it voice and have done so with force. The last line just brings it all together. Awe-inspiring ….!!!
Hugs,
Izzy xoxox
Sharp Little Pencil
Izzy, thanks so much! Yes, the leaf gives it up for the sake of the next year. I love how nature renews itself, even puts itself to bed each fall.
I try to explain to folks as much as I can about “mental disorders” and the notion of chemical imbalance in the brain being no different from chemical imbalance in the kidneys or anywhere else. It just plain scares people. I’m doing the NAMI walk to support people with mental disorders (including myself, although I’m high-functioning) because NAMI works at busting the stigma of mental illness and provides so much for homeless folks and other under-served groups. Hugs right back atcha, Amer
madeleine sara
I like your haiku.
The sentiments in your poem are very thought provoking too
Sharp Little Pencil
Dear Madeleine, thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a nice comment. Peace, Amy
scrambled7
This is nice! (:
Sharp Little Pencil
Welcome to the blog, and thanks! I’m coming over to see YOU now! Peace, Amy
Madeleine Begun Kane
Wow! The Other-Minded is so powerful!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Madeleine. It’s the best way I can get folks to try to visualize mental illness in a creative, non-stigmatizing way. Hugs, Amy
contemplativemoorings
Other-minded…I like that phrase 🙂
Count me in…
Sharp Little Pencil
Michael, yes, there are all kinds of other-mindedness! For me, it’s manic depression that opens a unique window on the world. For others, it’s the gift of inner peace…
Amy
georgefloreswrite
Too funny; I often refer to myself as a misfit toy. When things get too wacky, the Thorazine helps, but thankfully that’s not often. Seeing another side of life doesn’t make people crazy though, it just makes them privy to another facet that others don’t get to see. To be honest, I wouldn’t trade it.
Excellent poem, Amy! I thought this phrase (?) was perfection:
“We filter truth through a lens tinted by our mood
or lit by the fullest moon
to create art, to fulfill our promise”
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, babe, I know from wacky. Wackadoodle, even! Glad you don’t need Thorazine too often – the “shuffle” is the pits. I was on Lithium for awhile and it felt like cement in my veins, altering everything to a very boring place. Now I’m on a “combo platter” (although some folks think I’m two tacos short, LOL) and I agree with you. I would NEVER trade the strange and wonderful gift… God must have decided I could handle it and still make music and poetry and fun.
Thanks for the quote. Sometimes it surprises me to see my own words quoted back to me, because it means you really READ the poem. That type of comment I truly dig.
Love your “playlist” under World Music on your site – left a comment there! Amy
georgefloreswrite
Your poem helped give me the guts to post a story about the effects of my anti-crazy pills 🙂 Sorry you need a combo, but it’s not blanketing your creativity from what I’ve seen, so that’s awesome. Of course I’m actually reading your poems! And lovin’ it!
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, George, I did the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Walk over the weekend. It was great, surrounded by so many loving, cool mental health patients as well as supporters. My mission is simple: I want to bring mental illness “out of the closet,” so we won’t feel the need to put ourselves down. It’s not our fault; it’s nature and the world. So I will go to your blog and see it you posted. The fact that I inspired you in any way creatively gives me a great feeling, so thanks, my friend. Love, Amy
Renee Espriu
You are gifted and never mince words, which is something I really like about you, Amy. I, too, say what I think…sometimes not well received…but life is like that and if, at this point in my life, I was worried about the reception I wouldn’t be here. Thank you for bringing me all that you are and all that you see in life.
Sharp Little Pencil
Renee, right back atcha. You and I have this in common: unflinching honesty. And also, sometimes not being well received, or perhaps well perceived. I have lots of ‘splainin’ to do with some of my more “out there” stuff.
Mincing words is something I got over years ago. Now I call ’em as I see ’em and embrace the flack! Thanks for being the writer you are – glad we can boost each other now and then! Amy
laurie kolp
Both are beautiful, Amy… I really like the second one. The silver lining is always shinier (and the light brighter) when coming from utter darkness.
Sharp Little Pencil
…and when you turn the light on, the cockroaches run for cover, too!! LOL
Seriously, thanks for this. The darkest times of my life have made for some of my best poetry and songs… Thanks, Laurie! Amy
Jannie Funster
Wow. (of course I’m always saying wow here, Amy.)
We dance on a rolling coin that never comes to rest.
the slab mattress of the suicide ward.
Red lead shivering.
You were born writing poetry, weren’t you!
No Cocoa Puffs here, tho!! Mostly Cheerios, the honey nut kind are my fave.
see you soon, you AWESOME poet!
xo
Sharp Little Pencil
Ha, Jannie, you are well named, Funster!
OK, we’re talking cereal? Try this: Three kinds of high-fiber cereal mixed up, fruit on top, and organic yogurt. Every. Morning. Of. My. Life.
My daughter calls it, “Twigs and bits of the forest floor”!!
Thanks for your comments and for the WOW. Love that about you, very supportive. Amy xxoo
tmhHoover
Your poem says with clarity something I have been absorbing about myself – Your honest writing brings a good dose of comfort. xo teri
Sharp Little Pencil
Whatever it is you feel you are absorbing, it’s all good, Poetry is a wonderful vehicle for expressing the deepest parts of one’s soul and psyche. Thanks, Teri! Love, Amy
wolfsrosebud
The haiku was pointed and beautiful.
Loved the boldness in the second piece. Looking forward to our meeting tomorrow.
Sharp Little Pencil
Patricia, it’s been days since we met and I am just now approving your comment, rough week. Thanks so much for your encouragement! Wisconsin poets ROCK! Amy
El Guapo
Not misfit. More like unique.
The way you express yourself and your…for lack of a better word, illness, is just one of the many cool things about you.
Rock on, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, I’m cool with “mentally ill,” as well as having “mental disorders,” etc. The only term I despise is “mental health consumer,” because it’s so friggin’ politically correct, it sounds like we pick up our meds at the grocery store like cottage cheese or something. It’s a chemical imbalance, and I do believe it helps, if only because my synapses fire differently from others. Most artistic people have a twinge of something rattling around up there! Thanks, Guapo… Amy